Nearly hacked down wooden flag pole replaced in time for Flag Day 2022 at Santa Barbara Junior High
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The wooden flag pole at Santa Barbara Junior High that was targeted in a vandalism act in January of 2021 has now been replaced – just in time for Flag Day 2022 on Tuesday.
The pole, which dated back decades, was about to be cut down with a hack saw by a 34-year-old suspect Steven Vonbrandt when a neighbor intervened, called the police, and then saw Vonbrandt run from the area.
He was caught nearby by responding Santa Barbara Police officers. A second person who was described as a "lookout" was also detained.
The pole had a cut that nearly went through it, but it was still standing that night. A campus crew determined it was unsafe and it was taken down.
Vonbrandt pled guilty to felony vandalism in Santa Barbara Superior Court in July of 2021.
This case was resolved with a restitution check of $27,000 paid by Vonbrandt.
That money went to the school district in January of this year to replace the flag pole.
As the case was concluded and the restitution was paid, the charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
The school district has now bought and installed a new flag pole in the same location as the old one, on the lawn at the campus on East Cota Street.
Santa Barbara Unified School District Superintendent Hilda Maldonado said at a special ceremony, "I am so glad that we can see this flag back again, and it is not lost on me that today is Flag Day!"
The neighbor who got involved was Scott Cohen. "I came out and saw somebody behind the flag pole sawing it down and I called the police and made observations and reported to the police what I was seeing."
School Principal Arielle Curry was flanked by students who said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem.
She said, "it's been nearly 18 months since we have had our flag pole on the campus, and so we are so grateful to close out this year and completing our school with this beautiful flagpole. It is stunning. It's something to be proud of and I am grateful that the current year of students could see this and be part of an actual flag pole and be part of the rich history of Santa Barbara Junior High school."
With the suspect admitting the crime, and paying the restitution, Maldonado said it shows you can make mistakes and correct your wrongs.
She also said it shows students the district is committed to its follow through on these issues. "And bring it back so that our children continue to have a beautiful school to attend to that shows that we care enough to also bring things back to where it belongs and keep our historical status in Santa Barbara."
